HomeMy WebLinkAboutREQUEST FOR ECONOMIC IMPACT REVIEWTown of Yarmouth
1 146 Route 28
South Yarmouth, MA 02664
Varch 24,2026
Subject: Request for Economic lmpact Review - Proposed Nicotine Free Generation
Regutation
Dear Members of the Board of Heatth, Setect Board, and Community & Economic Director,
On behatf of the Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, we are writing to
express ourconcerns regardingthe potentiaI economic impactof the proposed Nicotine
Free Generation (NFG) regutation currentty under consideration.
We recognize and respect the intent behind this proposat, particutarty the shared goat of
protecting pubtic heatth and reducing youth access to nicotine products. Our schoots and
community partners have made meaningf uI progress in educating young peopte about the
risks associated with nicotine use, and we fu[[y support continued efforts in prevention and
education. To our knowtedge there is not an issue with underage sales with our current
estabtish me nts.
Over the past severaI years, Yarmouth businesses have experienced significant disruption
and financiaI strain due to the ongoing wastewater infrastructure project. Many
estabtishments, particutarty smat[ and [ocatly owned retaiters, have seen reduced foot
traffic, [imited access, and protonged periods of uncertainty. As a resutt, a number of
businesses are operating on increasingly narrow margins.
The proposed NFG regulation, as currently drafted, may further impact these businesses by
etim inating the sale of a lega I produ ct category that contributes to ove ratl reve n u e a nd
customer traffic. These sates are not standatone transactions, rather, they serve as a
catatyst for broader in-store spending. Customers who come in for these products often
purchase additionat items such as food, beverages, and fuet. Eliminating this category risks
reducing both foot traffic and totaI basket size, amptifying the overat[ fina nciat impact on
already strained smat[ busin esses.
At the same time, we believe it is critical to carefully evatuate the potentiat economic
consequences of this poticy, especiatty in the context of the current chattenges facing our
tocaI bus iness community.
We are atso concerned about potentiaI unintended consequences, inctuding shifts in
consumer purchasing to neighboring communities, reduced tocat spending, and broader
impacts on com mercia I activity within Yarmouth.
Given these considerations, we respectfutty request that a thorough and objective
economic impact anatysis be conducted prior to any f inat action on th is proposat.
This anatysis shou[d inctude, but not be timited to:
PotentiaI revenue loss for affected businesses
lmpacts on customer traff ic and related sates
Possibte displacement of spending to surrounding towns
lmptications for overa[[ economic vitatity within Yarmouth
Ensuring that both the public heatth benef its and the economic implications are f utty
understood wit[ support informed decision-making and hetp the Town batance these
important priorities.
We appreciate your thoughtfutconsideration of this matter and your continued
commitment to the wettbeing of Yarmouth's residents and business community.
Sincerety,
14oll,@ >o4r4 %4,ry'71/o"t
Ho[[ie Souza
Board Chair
Mary Vitbon
President/CEO